Aldersgate In Action. Aldersgate United Methodist Church 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX (325)

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1 In Depth: The Aldersgate logo was inspired by the Love Sculpture in Philadelphia, PA., to remind us that God is Love and that Love is the Greatest Commandment. Aldersgate In Action In Depth: It s Time... is the name of our current sermon series, which has been designed to explore the season of Advent, during which we are invited to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Today s theme to Magnify, is the fourth in the series. You will find the order of worship for today s service on Page 4. Welcome to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where the mission is to raise up deeply devoted disciples of Jesus. You have a place here. Regardless of who you are, where you have been and where you are in faith s journey, you belong here. In Aldersgate In Action, you will find information about various ministries and opportunities. Please, feel no pressure. Just know that if you are looking to grow in your faith and in relationships with God and others, you are welcome and encouraged to do both here. Grace and Peace! Aldersgate United Methodist Church 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX (325)

2 In the Works Regularly Scheduled Services and Opportunities to Grow and Serve: All are welcome! Please contact the Office ( ), if you d like to know more about becoming involved in the activities on the schedule below. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:05 a.m. Sunday School 11:05 a.m. Contemporary Worship Tuesday: 6:00 p.m. Jubilee Ringers Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir This Week: Thursday: 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Friday: Merry Christmas! The office will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Christmas Holiday. We will re-open on Monday December 28. In Depth: Each week, the pages of the In Action will contain updates, news and other information about Aldersgate s music ministry, the children s, youth and college ministries, and opportunities to serve in the Mission Field. (The Mission Field has been identified as four areas of focus in which to share the love of God outside of the church locally: McMurry University (and other Abilene colleges and universities), Bowie Elementary, Our Neighborhoods and Aldersgate Academy). Connections: Growth Group Registration is Here! It s the most wonderful time of the year! Not only are we in the season of Advent, preparing for the Messiah s arrival, but we are also preparing for the Spring Session of Growth Groups! Registration for groups will take place from December 20 until January 10. The idea of Growth Groups lies at the center of our United Methodist heritage. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed that when small groups of people met together for Bible study, fellowship, and prayer, spiritual transformation was more likely to take place. Here at Aldersgate, we believe that we grow in our relationship with God as we grow in our relationship with others. Growth Groups consists of about 8-14 people who meet in homes each week to discuss the weekly sermon, pray together and live life with one another. The Spring Session is 14 weeks long and will kick off the week of January 17. Childcare is available at the church. If you are interested in joining a group, you can sign up at the Welcome Center or contact me at jessica@aldersgateabilene.org or (210) Jessica Watson

3 From Steve and Alayna: Thank You! Steve and I would just like to thank this church for the love you have shown to our foster daughters, Kassy and Bailey, who have been with us since October of This will be their last Sunday at Aldersgate, as they are leaving this week to live with a family member out of state. Kassy and Bailey previously had not had any experience with church, and it gives me great joy to know that they have received such a positive outlook on church and God because of all of you! At one point, Bailey told me that she hoped someone from Aldersgate would adopt them because then she could go here forever, and if not, then as soon as she could drive herself, she would come back here. That speaks volumes for this church! They feel so at home here, so loved and accepted. So, for all of the hugs and love, teaching of Sunday School lessons, play dates and birthday party invitations and patient listening to stories, we thank you. We ask for your continued prayers for them as they start their new life. Alayna Brooks Youth Ministry: Sign-Up for the Ski Trip This past Sunday, the Youth met for our annual Progressive Dinner. Lots of fun and laughs were had, as well as an entertaining white elephant gift exchange story told by our seniors. A big thank you to the Hartmanns and Owens for hosting and cooking, and thank you to all of those who helped cook and serve that night. It was a huge blessing to our youth! Please note that the youth will not meet on Sunday evenings again until January 3rd. Sunday School will continue throughout the holidays. During Spring Break 2016 (March 14-18), the youth will embark on their 5th annual Spring Break Ski Trip! The youth will head to Monarch, Colorado, for a time of fun and fellowship and to enjoy the beauty of God s creation. There are 20 spots available, and it is firstcome, first-served. The cost of the trip is: for age 7-18, $350; for ages 19+, $365; for non-skiers, $215. The cost of the trip will include travel, lodging, three-day lift tickets, equipment rentals, four continental breakfasts and three lunches on the mountain. All add-ons and upgrades (ie. helmets, performance skis, lessons) will be a la carte. A $150 deposit is due by January 10. However, you may sign up now at aldersgateumc. This website also will provide the forms, waivers, maps and an itinerary for the trip. For more information or questions, please contact me at or youth@aldersgateabilene.org. Daniel Mathis

4 It s Time... to Magnify Luke 1: Sermon Notes Lessons from Sesame Street Consider the Question: What does your life magnify? Prophecy, Song and Revolution Blessed to Bless: Smuggling God into the World It s Time Our Mission: Raising Up Deeply Devoted Disciples of Jesus

5 From Amy & Jason Feltz: Thank You! In Genesis 12, God promises to give Abraham a name, land and descendants. It s all very exciting, but the most lasting, world-changing part could be missed if not read carefully. Tucked away at the end of that string of promises, God says to Abraham: I will bless you, and you will be a blessing. As followers of Jesus, this is our truth as much as it was Abraham s, and you, church family, live into this truth in so many ways. You bless the people in your lives with your grace and generosity and willingness to serve every day. We are grateful to be recipients of your blessing as our family grows. Thank you for showering us with gifts on Saturday, December 12 (and before and after!) in preparation for the birth of our son. Thank you for consistent love and care of our sweet foster daughter. Thank you for your unwavering support of the two of us over the years. We intend to raise our children to know that they have been blessed by their God and that they are blessed to be a blessing to others! Thank you for providing such wonderful examples of this calling on the life of every believer. We are grateful! Amy and Jason Feltz College Ministry: Freshman Growth Group During the last week of the semester, Jessica and I found ourselves sharing a meal with three students, two of whom attend the college ministry s freshman Growth Group. Over the course of the meal, we asked the two freshman students to share a highlight from their first semester in college and, they amazed us with their response! Both agreed that the relationships and support that they have found within their freshman Growth Group has been the greatest highlight of their college experience. Within the group, they have developed strong, meaningful relationships that helped them transition into life at McMurry. Essentially, I heard them say they have found a place to be known and to know others: a place to belong. Isn t this beautiful? During my time of service in this college ministry, I have hoped and prayed that all students would find a place to belong. I believe that this is one of the deepest desires of students, and I am filled with joy by the reality that students are finding this sense of belonging within our church. I will continue to pray this prayer and look forward to working in the upcoming semester toward our mission of raising up deeply devoted disciples of Jesus. Kyle Watson

6 In Depth: At Aldersgate, all are invited to practice faithfulness in our prayers, presence (attendance), gifts (offering of money), service (action in the community) and witness (sharing our faith). You will find information about service and witness throughout the pages of Aldersgate In Action. This page is dedicated to matters of prayer, presence, and gifts. Prayers Clay Meadows Doris Ogden Dori Oiler Lou Swindell Ken Schmidt Alice Shaw Alice Alcala Carolyn Strain Military and Families Mary Gregory Millie Speed Sarah Doucette Delmon Wilson The prayer list is coordinated by Barbara Owens. Please send prayer requests and requests to join the list to Presence :05 a.m. Combined Service = 414 Total Worship = 414 Sunday School = 146 Lou Adams Clinton Gayle Addison English Lora Langford Bob Kuykendall Sherli Aldridge We extend our sympathy and prayers to Vance Roberts and family upon the death of his uncle, Leon Kretschmer, on December 13. Aldersgate volunteers serve at the Methodist Food Pantry, located at N. 1st and Shelton, on the second Tuesday of the month, from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Free childcare is available. For more information call Susan Steele at Facebook page: facebook.com/aldersgateunitedmethodist Church Twitter:@AldersgateABI Instagram:@aldersgateabi In Depth: Sunday School classes are offered at 10:05 a.m. for all ages. To learn more about Adult Sunday School classes, call Amy Wilson Feltz at or send an to amywilsonfeltz@aldersgateabilene.org. Gifts Budget for 2015 = $808, Received This Week = $14, Received This Month-to-Date = $47, Received Year-to-Date = $739, Faith Promise Pledge = $41, Faith Promise Contributions = $48, In Depth: Aldersgate offers two forms of electronic giving: Online Bill Pay and ACH Direct Draft. EFT Authorization Forms are available in the office and on our website at If you have additional questions regarding Stewardship, contact K.B. Woods ( , kbwoods@aldersgateabilene.org). Ministry Leaders Pastor: Steve Brooks (325) Associate Pastor: Amy Wilson Feltz (325) Finance: K. B. Woods Music: David Wallis Children: Alayna Brooks & Amber Redman Youth/Contemporary Worship: Daniel Mathis College/Young Adults: Kyle Watson Connections: Jessica Watson Academy: Carol Rogers Reception: Susan Acosta Administration: Kathryn Andrews Custodial Services: Robert Sandoval Staying Connected: Address: 1741 Sayles, Phone Number: (325) Office Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8-12, 1-5 Fri Web Site: Facebook: Aldersgate UMC Text Message Reminders: gracepeace to Reminders: news@aldersgateabilene.org

7 In the World by Pastor Amy This year, our congregation decided to turn our traditional Angel Tree outreach into an effort to provide Christmas gifts to children and families right here in our neighborhood. Christmas Gifts for Bowie was organized by Aldersgate member Erin Hicks, who coordinated with Bowie s counselor, Amanda Young. Erin volunteered of her time to write on paper doves all of the information we would need to go shopping. She then hung the doves on the tree in the main hallway by the north door of the church building for us to collect and take to the stores as we purchased the gifts. More than 120 doves were placed on the tree, and after the first week, most of them had been selected. By the second week, the tree was bare. As the staff person who works with an excellent team of volunteers to facilitate and grow our relationship with our friends at Bowie, I feel overjoyed at the reception of Christmas Gifts for Bowie. This year, members of congregation, as well as parents and teachers from Aldersgate Academy and staff members from McMurry University gave of their time and resources to purchase and wrap gifts for children who attend Bowie and their families, who live right here in our neighborhood. Sisters and Brothers, that means that in this one outreach effort, all four of our local mission field areas have been connected. This is a cause for celebration! Thanks be to God! And thanks to all of you who participated. Your generosity provided toys and books for the children, but also items of basic need such as warm clothing, pajamas, vacuum cleaners and gift cards for food. Most importantly, your love and your grace remind our neighbors that they truly are not alone, that we do share this community and that we are always looking for ways to do life together. What a wonderful message of hope during these Advent and Christmas seasons. Suggested Reading We invite you to read Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson. If you would like a copy, please call the church office at , or make a note on the Welcome Card, and we will order a copy for you. The price is $14. Grace and Peace! Pastor Steve and Pastor Amy Daily Bible Readings Below you will find a list of sermon related passages and a list of passages that will take you through the Bible in a year. Please consider reading both each day as we continue to grow in our knowledge of God s word. Sermon Passages Sun: Luke 1:46-55 Mon: Luke 1:26-38 Tue: Luke 1:39-45 Wed: Micah: 5:2-5a Thur: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Fri: Exodus 15:1-21 Sat: Genesis 12:1-3 Sun: Mon: Tue: Wed: Thur: Fri: Sat: Chronological Bible Readings Psalm 56, 120, Samuel Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63 1 Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18 Psalm 121, , Samuel 1-4 Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119: 103